By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GOVERNORS ISLAND — As rain fell on a crowd of students, teachers and supporters who gathered in front of the New York Harbor School's new home on Governors Island Monday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg joked that he'd planned the wet weather on purpose.
"I thought it would get us in the mood for the maritime thing," Bloomberg said as politicians standing behind him raised umbrellas.
The rain did not dampen the excitement as city, state and federal politicians cut a fishnet — rather than a ribbon — to formally open the new $34 million school in what used to be an army barracks.
The Harbor School provides a college preparatory education based on a maritime-related curriculum. Until this fall, it was located in Bushwick, and the 400 students had to travel for miles just to reach the waterfront, where they learned how to sail, scuba dive and conduct marine biology experiments.
"Now everything you need is right here," Bloomberg told the students. "The harbor is your laboratory."
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said he envisions the Harbor School as a national model for "teaching kids very practical things" in addition to the standard academic subjects.
Harbor School Principal Nathan Dudley said the move to Governors Island is only the beginning.
"We have a lot to be proud of, but there's still much more work to be done," Dudley said. "The best of New York Harbor School is still to come."
